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*PREDICTION*

For much of the NHL offseason, trade rumors circled around the Calgary Flames. Much of this had to do with the future of veteran star Nazem Kadri, especially since the team underperformed again last season.

Many people around league circles were speculating that Kadri could be moved, but at least to this point, the Flames have held off moving their star. The veteran still had one more season left on his current contract, and his salary could be a big reason why a trade hasn’t happened.

Kadri is scheduled to be paid $7 million each year, which could complicate things since most teams can’t simply match this. But if a team were to badly want the veteran, they could get creative to get a deal done.

If the Flames do move Kadri, they will likely be asking for the moon, especially since he remains a very productive player on the ice. Kadri has been one of the more durable players in the league as well, playing in all 82 games for three straight seasons.

This could drive the price up as well, since teams need players like him whom they can rely on to be around. But in the 82 games played last year, Kadri scored 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames, showing some incredible consistency on the ice.

While Calgary would likely prefer not to move him, but by doing so it could be in the best interest of the organization long-term. However, it remains to be seen how aggressive the Flames will be to move their star at the trade deadline this season.

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Nazem Kadri Goes Back to the Toronto Maple Leafs

One team that was heavily linked with Kadri all offseason was the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto has been searching for a way to improve its roster since star Mitch Marner left the team in free agency.

Adding Kadri to the mix would certainly help things, and the two sides are very familiar with one another. Kadri spent the first part of his career in Toronto, and there have been rumors that the two sides would love to reunite at some point.

The veteran could add a real scoring punch to the Maple Leafs team, both for this season and beyond. Even at his age, Kadri has shown himself to be very productive, and Toronto could use a player like this on the team to help take them over the top.

The Maple Leafs have fallen short of expectations consistently, and the fanbase has started to get very testy with the organization. If anything, Kadri could give this team a much better shot to win a Stanley Cup, while also bringing back a favorite to the franchise.